Bag package



July 18, 1967 HANNON 3,331,182

BAG PACKAGE Original Filed Aug. 20, 1962 g a l3 FIGS.

INVENTOR. GILBERT H. HANNON Maw AT TORNE Y ABSCT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method for moving bags on a strip, opening and filling the bags successively and removing the filled bags from the strip. I

This invention relates to packaging and more particularly to a new and improved arrangement of open ended bags and a method of filling said bags.

This application is a division of United States patent application Ser. No. 217,860, filed Aug. 20, 1962, by Gilbert H. Hannon, now Patent No. 3,161,347, granted Dec. 15, 1964.

One of the problems existing under the mass merchandising system of our present day trade practice is the difliculty of packaging commercial products by hand and by machine. Complicated electrical mechanical automatic packaging machines have been provided but these machines usually have been designed for a particular product or group of products. Each time a new product or line of products had to be packaged, new packaging equipment was designed at great cost and loss of time.

Therefore a need exists for a simple and inexpensive sanitary arrangement of bags that can be used for hand and machine packaging. These packages must be so arranged that even the most flimsy bag material can be readily opened and packed with the least amount of time and effort.

Consumers purchasing merchandise under our present system must not only be satisfied with the appearance of the product but must be sold in addition by the package within which it is contained. In the competitive battle for sales, the product must be formed and packaged so that it will sell itself, be easily handled by sales people and consumer, and stimulate impulse sales.

In accordance with the invention claimed a new and improved package or strip of open ended bags and method of packaging is provided. The package comprises a supporting member extending longitudinally or laterally of the package. A plurality of bags are arranged along the member in an overlying arrangement with a portion of each bag being in contact with the supporting member. Each of the bags may have its opening at the same end of the package with each preceding bag in a given direction along the strip in one embodiment of the invention overlying the opening of the following bag. An adhesive means is arranged between one side of each of the bags adjacent its opening and the supporting member for temporarily holding the bags to the supporting member.

The new and improved method of filling open ended bags detachably secured to a strip in an overlying arrangement comprises the steps of moving the strip in a given direction, spreading the opening of the first bag on the strip in the direction of movement of the strip, filling the bag with a given product, removing the bag from the strip and moving the strip to position the opening of a second bag adjacent the opening means.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a new and improved package of wrapping material useable for both hand and machine wrapping of given products.

3,331,182 Patented July 18, 1967 Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved package of open ended bags.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved package of open ended bags in which each bag is positioned in an overlying arrangement.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved package of open ended bags in which the bags are positioned in an overlying arrangement with each preceding bag in a given direction along the package overlying the opening of a following bag.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved package of bags which are arranged along a supporting strip in such a manner that one portion of each bag is detachably held.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved package of open ended bags in which one side only of the bag opening is temporarily held to a bag supporting strip.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved strip of overlying bags in which each bag is detachably held to a supporting strip by one bag side of its opening.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved package of open ended bags which may be used for both firm and flimsy bag materials.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved method of packaging articles in bags.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved strip of overlying bags which are sanitarily arranged for both hand and machine packaging.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved strip of overlying bags in which the openings of the bags are positioned laterally of the length of the supporting strip.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a diagrammatical illustration ofa plurality of bags mounted in an overlying arrangement on a supporting strip and embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the structure shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the bag supporting arrangement;

FIG. 3 is partial view of a modification of the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating a continuous arrangement of the backing strip;

FIG. 4 is a partial illustration of a modification of the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatical illustration of a vertical automatic bag filling arrangement illustrating the use of a continuous strip of overlying bags embodying the article and method of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatical illustration of a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 5 wherein the bags are opened and loaded in a horizontal direction; and

FIG. 7 is a modification of the structure shown in FIGS. 1-4 wherein the bag openings are arranged laterally of the length of the supporting strip.

Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of reference, FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrate a package 10 of open end pouches or bags 11. The bags may be of any size varying over a considerable range and formed of any suitable paper or plastic including the modern flimsy thin transparent wrapping materials such as regenerated cellulose of the moisture proof type or any similar moisture proof transparent or semi-transparent material hereinafter referred to as packaging material. The forming of the pouches or bags may be accomplished in any suitable manner and the sealing shut of the bags open ends may be effected after packaging of the given articles in any suitable manner which may be, for example by heat sealing, stapling, clamping or by the application of an adhesive depending on the article packed. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular bag or size or manner of sealing it. It is feasible in some uses of the invention to feed the articles into the bags by either hand or by hand controlled mechanism, but it is also readily adapted to be packaging automatically 1n timed relationship.

Bags 11 are positioned in a staggering overlying arrangement along a strip 12 serving as a mounting support for the bags. Each bag is arranged with its open end at a common end of package in such an arrangement that each preceding bag in a given direction along the longitudinal axis of strip 12 overlies the opening of the following bag. This is an important sanitary feature of this packaging arrangement since it covers and keeps closed all bags along the strip other than the first bag in the sequence by the preceding bags.

Each of the bags are detachably secured to the supporting strip 12 by a suitable adhesive which may be applied to either the strip or bags in any suitable manner. As shown in FIG. 1 a pair of adhesive strips 13 and 14 are spacedly applied to strip 12 and arranged to extend longitudinally along strip 12 so that the juxtapositioned sides of the open ends of bags 11 adhere to the strip through the medium of the adhesive. It is intended to be within the scope of this invention to apply adhesive to the side of the open ends of the bags adjacent the strip which adhesive on the bags could later be used in sealing or holding the bags closed if so desired. Although a pair of adhesive strips 13 and 14 are shown in FIG. 1 one or more strips may be used.

The backing strip 12 may extend along only a portion of package 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the closed sides and ends of the bags extending therebeyond or the strip could extend out any greater length along the longitudinal axis of package 10.

The top part of the backing strip may be used for advertising material and an aperture 15 may be formed therein for suitably mounting the strip for hand filling in home or factory. By adhering only the back side of each bag to the backing strips 12 the bag is held to the strip while the front side of the opening may be readily grasped by the user and held open while the bag is loaded after which it may be removed from the strip by merely pulling the back side of the bag opening from the supporting strip 12.

Thus, the packaging arrangement of bags shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be easily mounted and readily used while at the same time keeping the openings of the stack of bags below the top bag sanitarily covered. Since many of the modern day flimsy bag materials are difiicult to handle and fill, the disclosed package makes possible the storing, filling and use of such bags easily, efficiently and with the minimum amount of difiiculty.

FIG. 3 illustrates a modification of the package shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the supporting strip 16 comprises a plurality of mounting strips 12, each interconnected with the others by perforation lines 17. Thus, the supporting strip 16 comprises a plurality of packages 10 arranged in an extended strip and containing any number of bags depending on the number of mounting strips 12 contained in strip 16. A plurality of notches or apertures 2 are arranged along the edges of strip 16 for automatic indexing. In FIG. 3 the view shows the bags removed at the top of the strip 16, namely from the top mounting strip 12, and the bags from the center portion of strip 16 are shown as overlying and covering the bags on the lower mounting strip 12. Thus, the top opening of the bags on the lower mounting strip 12 of strip 16 are not shown.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modification of the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 wherein the supporting strip comprises a narrow band 18 which supports bags 11 along its length in the same manner as discussed above under FIGS. 1 and 3 by the application of a suitable adhesive along either band 18 or the open end of the bags lying adjacent the juxtapositioned flat surface of band 18. Band 18 is provided with a plurality of apertures 19 along its length which may be used for machine indexing of the bags for hand or automatic bag loading.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate schematically simple machine structures for vertically and horizontally loading the bags using an extended or continuous strip of bags mounted on suitable mounting and supporting strips of the type shown in FIGS. 1-4. The machines shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 would be for hand or automatic loading. The bags could be loaded in any angular position as well as the vertical and horizontal positions shown.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 bags 11 are mounted on a continuous strip 20 in the manner disclosed and wound on a roll 21. One end of strip 20 is strung around idle roller 22, pin wheel 23 and supporting tape, board or paper rewound roller 24. A suitable opening means may be arranged adjacent idle roller 22 such as a vacuum cup 25. The vacuum cup 25 draws the unattached side of the bag opening away from the attached side of the bag opening to open the bag sufficiently so that it can receive in any suitable manner the articles to be packed.

In many applications of the novel package the vacuum cup 25 is not needed to open the bags. An air jet 26 mounted directly over the bags approaching idle roller 22 may be all that is needed to open the bag enough to receive its storage and packaging charge.

After bag 19 is loaded it either falls away from the supporting strip 20 due to the weight of the packaged material or is removed from strip 20 in any suitable manner where it falls or is .placed on the horizontally moveable conveyor 27.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 5 wherein the rewind roller 24 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 5 to provide space for horizontal product loading table 28. Air jet 26 is relocated as shown to open the bags as they pass over the crest of idle roller 22. The vacuum cup 25 is not shown herein but may be used if so desired.

Idle roller 22 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be eliminated and pin Wheel 23 serve its function to save costs, and suitable stripping fingers (not shown) can be added to pull the filled bags off of the strip after being loaded if positive automatic action is desired.

Hand loading may occur with the structures of FIGS. 5 and 6 after the air jets 26 have opened the bags at the loading position. The operator pushes or drops the product into the open bag. The bag is then pulled from the backing or supporting strip 20 and dropped on conveyor 27 and moved on to a sealing position (not shown). The operator of the machine then closes a switch (not shown) in a known manner which indexes pin wheel 23 just far enough to supply another bag. As stated before strip 20 is properly notched or apertured so that it suitably engages pin wheel 23. As noted from FIG. 3 strip 16 may be provided with suitable notches or apertures 29 for automatic indexing or any other known indexing method may also be used. Rewind roller 24 is driven through a slip drive to get rid of the backing or supporting strip 20. Pin wheel 23 can be either motor driven or manually advanced through suitable linkage (not shown) to a foot pedal. Such action could also be supplied to rewind roller 24.

Automatic loading would occur in the same sequence as above described for the hand operation except a motor drive would probably tie all of the operations together in one continuous sequence of operations with program timers.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modification of the package or strip of bags shown in FIGS. 1-4 wherein the package or strip of bags 30 comprises a supporting strip 31 extending along the length of strip of bags 30 having a plurality of open ended bags 32 detachably secured to strip 31 by an adhesive 33 applied either to the bags or strip along their juxtapositioned surfaces. Bags 32 are so arranged that their openings extend laterally of the longitudinal axis of the package or strip of bags 30. Although the openings of bags 32 are shown at one common side of the package or strip of bags they could open at either side or some of the bags open at one side and some at the other side as desired either alternately individually or alternately in groups. Strip 32 may be provided with a plurality of indexing means such as registration marks 34 for photoelectric indexing control. This form of indexing means may be used on any of the strip of bag modifications shown.

Although but a few embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein Without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of filling open ended bags detachably secured to a strip in an overlying arrangement with each preceding bag in a given direction along said strip overlying the opening of the following bag comprising the steps of moving said strip a given amount in said given direction, spreading the opening of the first bag on said strip in the direction of movement of said strip, filling said bag with a given product, removing said bag from said strip thereby exposing the opening of said second bag, and moving said strip another given amount to position the opening of a second bag adjacent said opening means.

2. A method of filling open ended bags having one side of their openings detachably secured to a strip in an overlying arrangement with each preceding bag in a given direction along said strip overlying the opening of the following bag comprising the steps of moving said strip a given amount in said given direction, applying a vacuum to the unsecured side of the opening of the first bag on said strip to spread the opening of said first bag, filling said bag with a given product, removing said bag from said strip thereby exposing the opening of said second bag, and moving said strip another given amount to position the opening of said second bag adjacent said vacuum opening means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,794,517 3/1931 Hellman 53-385 X 2,069,266 -2/ 1937 Nicodemus 53-385 2,775,082 12/1956 Vogt 5337 2,790,591 4/ 1957: Rosen 53-384 X 2,843,988 7/1958 Thompson et a1. 53-386 FOREIGN PATENTS 144,254 11/1951 Australia GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, J 11., Primary Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF FILLING OPEN ENDED BAGS DETACHABLY SECURED TO A STRIP IN AN OVERLYING ARRANGEMENT WITH EACH PRECEDING BAG IN A GIVEN DIRECTION ALONG SAID STRIP OVERLYING THE OPENING OF THE FOLLOWING BAD COMPRISING THE STEPS OF MOVING SAID STRIP A GIVEN AMOUNT IN SAID GIVEN DIRECTION, SPREADING THE OPENING OF THE FIRST BAG ON SAID STRIP IN THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID STRIP, FILLING SAID BAG WITH A GIVEN PRODUCT, REMOVING SAID BAG FROM SAID STRIP THEREBY EXPOSING THE OPENING OF SAID SECOND BAG, AND MOVING SAID STRIP ANOTHER GIVEN AMOUNT TO POSITION THE OPENING OF A SECOND BAG ADJACENT SAID OPENING MEANS. 